Published
Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 18:08
- The website is increasing its efforts to block edits and bootlegs from its online marketplace.
Discogs is hardening its stance on unofficial releases, with a series of labels recently blocked from its online marketplace.
In a statement provided to Resident Advisor, the company says it's "adding resources" to enforce its long-standing seller's agreement. Though the back catalogues of labels who press unofficial records remain listed on the site, they are no longer available to buy or sell on the Discogs marketplace.
"As an organisation where many of us are musicians, record collectors and even label owners, we are and will continue to be zealous in improving Discogs for our trusting community which also includes many recording musicians, labels and publishers," the company's chief operating officer, Chad Dahlstrom, told RA. "Over the course of this year, we have continued to add resources allowing us to be more proactive in enforcing a policy that has been stated in our existing seller's agreement while also honouring DMCA takedown notices. We respond quickly to complaints, take down requests and are working closely with labels, publishers and artists to remove these items from our marketplace when they show up."
Dahlstrom continues: "In accordance to the Discogs seller's agreement under privacy and responsibility, it states: 'Items you list for sale must not violate copyright, trademark or other intellectual property rights. For example, you are prohibited from selling unauthorised reproductions of items, such as bootlegs, counterfeit, pirate copies, etc.' This policy has been in place for a significant time.
"Our mission continues to be the building of the world's largest database and marketplace for physical music. To fulfil that mission we must protect our buyers and sellers, as well as our artists and record labels, with the same ferocity that we drive toward our mission as a company."
On Twitter, Discogs said the crackdown wasn't a precursor to the company being sold.